Today's News

While the “Cash for Clunkers” program offered by the federal government is a boom to new car dealers, smaller dealers like Hammer Chevrolet in Springfield haven't benefited much from the controversial, albeit successful, program. The government set an 8 p.m. deadline this past Monday for the end of the clunkers program, which funneled $3 billion into the sagging auto industry.

The past week has been a productive one for the Washington County Commanderette volleyball team. After defeating Campbellsville 2-0 on the road last Thursday, the girls headed to Centre College for tournament action, which saw them go 3-3 overall. The 4-3 week brings the ladies to 5-4 early in the season.

“In the four years I’ve been coaching, this is the most competitive and evenly matched that I’ve seen this tournament,” said WC head coach Brett Hudson.

Operating a school system is expensive business, and in a tough economy for everyone involved, it unfortunately costs more each year.

The Washington County School Board will meet tonight to discuss with citizens the cost of operating the school system and how best to do that at a public hearing set for 6:30 p.m. at Central Office. The meeting is open to the public.

Call it season opener jitters, but the Washington County Commanderettes opened the 2009 season last Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Campbellsville by squeaking by in the second game, coming back to win 27-25 after taking game one 25-16.

The Burg was abuzz with activity over the weekend as the Cantuc Whistlers chapter of Quail Unlimited, Inc., held its annual Kids' Day. Although temperatures were in the 90s, that didn't stop nearly 170 young ones from coming out for the free event.

“This was our fourth year,” said Jerry Mattingly, president of the Cantuc Whistlers. “Donations play a big part in being able to do this for the kids each year.”

Before entering her fourth season as volleyball coach at St. Catharine College, Juanita Mangan had one priority over the summer. That main order of business was to find a setter to run the new offense the Patriots will employ. That mission was accomplished but it wasn’t the only productive part of Mangan’s summer.

As more and more people scramble to save on energy costs and keep bills down, even city governments are looking for ways to cut back on spending. Case in point, the Springfield City Council’s decision to do some re-wiring of the lights at Idle Hour Park’s baseball fields.

Washington County High School Principal Leon Smith has been named superintendent of Russellville schools in Logan County. The announcement came Monday night in Russellville. For complete details, see this week's Springfield Sun.